A FURIOUS MOTHER. 21

done, but because she had exhibited much gaiety and freedom
of spirit at the marriage repast, and had diverted the company
by some songs.

The Due and Duchesse de Rohan were on their side equally
furious, although less to be pitied, and made a strange uproar.
Their son, troubled to know how to extricate himself from this
affair, had recourse, to his aunt, Soubise, so as to assure himself
of the King. She sent him to Pontchartrain to see the
chancellor. M. de Leon saw him the day after this fine
marriage, at five o'clock in the morning, as he was dressing.
The chancellor advised him to do all he could to gain the
pardon of his father and of Madame de Roquelaure. But he
had scarcely begun to speak, when Madame de Roquelaure
sent word to say, that she was close at hand, and wished the
chancellor to come and see her. He did so, and she immedi-
ately poured out all her griefs to him, saying that she came,
nob to ask his advice, but to state her complaint as to a friend
(they were very intimate), and as to the chief officer of justice
to demand justice of him. When he attempted to put in a
word 011 behalf of M. de Leon, her fury burst out anew; she
would not listen to his words, but drove off to Marly, where
she had an interview with Madame de Maintenon, and by her
was presented to the King.

As soon as she was in his presence, she fell down on. her
knees before him, and demanded justice in its fullest extent
against M. de Leon. The King raised her with the gallantry
of a prince to whom she had not been indifferent, and sought
to console her; but as she still insisted upon justice, he asked
her if she knew fully what she asked for, which was nothing
less than the head of M. de Leon. She redoubled her entreaties
notwithstanding this information, so that the King at last
promised her that she should have complete justice. "With
that, and many compliments, he quitted her, and passed into
his own rooms with a very serious air, and without stopping
for anybody.

The news of this interview, and of what had taken place
soon spread through the chamber. Scarcely had people begun